Aggie Ingeniero, June 2008

NMSU College of Engineering Alumnus Jerome Shaw has been selected as an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient by the National Coalition of Organizations (NECO).

One of America’s most prestigious awards, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to the pluralism and diversity of the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic. Shaw, the son of immigrant parents from Austria and the Ukraine, joins a distinguished roster of American citizens who have received this singular honor. Shaw was honored at NECO’s Annual Awards Celebration on May 10 in ceremonies held at Ellis Island in New York.

“Mr. Shaw is being recognized for his enduring commitment to programs that promote the diversification of the U.S. workforce as well as for his efforts that mentor students helping them to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Rosemarie Taglione, executive director of NECO, said.

Shaw is executive vice president and co-founder Volt Information Sciences, Inc. Shaw, along with his older brother William, founded Volt as a technical writing company in 1950 with $13. Today, Volt is a global provider of staffing services, technology and high-end consulting solutions with annual sales of approximately $2.4 billion.

During more than five decades at Volt, Shaw has envisioned and built a business environment that emphasizes outreach and diversity among Volt’s employees, customers, and business partners. Throughout his career, Shaw has been a tireless advocate for advancement of the under-served and disadvantaged in the local communities that Volt serves.

Shaw is responsible for opening the VMC Customer Contact Center in Las Cruces this past fall, an owned subsidiary of Volt that provides technical support to some of the largest hardware and software companies in the world.

In addition, Shaw has spearheaded numerous diversity-based initiatives, including the establishment of the Joyce and Jerome Shaw Diversity Scholarship fund, a perpetual annual scholarship at New Mexico State University to provide educational opportunities for engineering students from diverse backgrounds. Shaw and his wife Joyce Cutler-Shaw have a long history of philanthropy to NMSU, in addition to other institutions. NMSU recognized the Shaws’ numerous contributions in 2001 with the Jerome and Joyce Cutler-Shaw Conference Room in Goddard Hall named in their honor.

Shaw received his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from NMSU in 1949. In 1995, he was named Distinguished Alumnus by the College of Engineering, and in 2001, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws. Shaw is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Academy as well as the honorary society, Sigma Tau. Shaw was inducted into the NMSU College of Engineering Circle of Honor on October 20, 2006, for his ongoing and generous support.

Currently, Shaw is working to engage Volt with the national “Hire America’s Heroes” program that will provide employment opportunities to injured, recovering or disabled veterans. His concept is to establish the veteran’s own home as a business information call center with Volt providing the hosted call center applications and infrastructure as well as associated training. His goal is to provide job opportunities for hundreds of disabled veterans.

“Jerry epitomizes the American immigrant success story. With only $13 dollars, he succeeded in the face of tremendous adversity in building one of the world’s leading corporations. His tireless contributions to our company and communities are the direct result of his personal initiative, determination, and strength of commitment. The entire Volt family congratulates Jerry on receiving this award that is the culmination of his life’s work, and as his son, I am especially proud,” Steven Shaw, president and CEO of Volt Information Sciences, Inc., said.

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